News: September 2021

September Report

Fall sports have been going strong – with twice as many players on our soccer teams as recent years. The decision to accept more players was made in order to be ready to return to an ‘all-scrimmage’ format if needed.

The Marion Cross School hosted a ‘New Parent Night’, and asked Norwich Recreation to appear on their panel of local organizations. The school has seen a 3rd year of student population growth – this time, they have had 40 new students. Many great questions were asked and answered. The most pressing questions were about childcare and the ABA-accessible trail in forest.

The Norwich Historical Society, Public Library and Women’s Club and Norwich Recreation organized a community resource fair on September 11th. We had over 125 people in attendance, and the questions were very interesting. Many of the new families had children who were not at an age that we currently provide programs for, so they were directed to the Public Library. Other residents had questions about adult programs, which we do normally host, but have no guarantees for the indoor sessions. There was interest across the board for more programs in the outdoors, especially trail walks and naturalist programs.

Norwich Recreation Afternoons is at capacity (16 children). Our teens walk the kids to the library or to their practices, play with them on the fields/at the gym and help them with their homework if needed. Parent feedback for this program has been overwhelmingly positive.
Fencing has entered their 4th week of Wednesday and Friday sessions. We have had a few glitches with their new leadership, but overall it is going well.

King Arthur Baking hosted a Bread Oven Reopening Celebration to thank the Town and community volunteers who helped to rebuild the bread oven. The event included children’s pick-up soccer games, music, and dinner donated by King Arthur Baking. The oven will be open to public reservations again in October. We are currently working on updates to our reservation process.

Norwich Recreation will host the NorWitchy Woods Walk again this Halloween. Participating organizations currently include: Marion Cross School staff, Norwich Public Library, Norwich Fire Department, Norwich Women’s Club, Norwich Lions Club, Upper Valley Land Trust and Upper Valley Trails Alliance. Registration will open during the second week of October.

The Upper Valley Land Trust has expressed interest in working with Norwich Recreation on grooming the Nordic Trail again this year. We will partner on the Nordic at Night events, with a schedule that is still to be determined. The Norwich Lions Club is interested in potentially opening the Nordic at Night events with a fireworks display.

We have been working with resident Anna Schivas to host a series of community dances at Huntley Meadows. So far, we have hosted two dances, each attended by 17 people. We will have one more dance in October before we begin exploring the idea of moving in Tracy Hall (contingent on the current COVID-19 guidance).